New marriage law?

[okiepress]

Forgive me if this has been covered, but I can't find any information anywhere on it. My husband and I went to register our marriage yesterday. (We had a private ceremony earlier with family.) We are both foreigners  - UK and US - and have lived in Thailand many years. We got all our papers together - affirmations from both embassies, translations certified and stamped at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Three trips to the city and nearly 10,000 baht later, we were ready.We went to the amphur office completely prepared, only to be told that two days ago (now three) the Ministry of Interior sent a letter to all amphur offices saying that they must write a letter (yes, a written letter in the mail) to ask permission for foreigners to marry. The reply will take three weeks to a month! We were told to just wait. In the meantime, however, my husband's affirmation will expire, and mine will contain old information, so the woman at the amphur told us we would have to do them again. So, same process - affirmations from embassies, translations, legal stamps, etc. refile - IF the interior gives them the go ahead to marry us. My husband speaks Thai, and we had a Thai friend with us - plus, the woman at the amphur spoke good English - so, I don't think we are misunderstanding this, but we are completely boggled all the same. Has anyone heard of this letter being sent out by the Interior? I would just like to know why the restrictions on foreigners marrying foreigners. A foreign/Thai couple came in and got married, with it looked like, no problems. However, we didn't ask. Really perplexed.

 

p.s. just an FYI. One of our translations was not up to specs and would have needed to be done again anyway. My husband's name was translated two letters differently than what is written inside his work permit. So, check those translations closely! The amphur will reject them even after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves them.

[MissAndry]

Try a different Amphur ....... don't show them his work permit with the conflicting information.

What have you got to lose? They can only say no.

[ubonjoe]

Moved to here.

Sounds like nonsense to me. Which Amphoe was that?

As said try another Amphoe. You can register your marriage at any Amphoe.

[NickJ]

Yeah..MissAndy is right. Try a different amphur franchise.

Congratulations on getting hitched!

[blackcab]

Different Amphur, different result.

[DDbkh]

I went yesterday to the British Embassy for the letter of affirmation (LoA), and they told that they had received a letter from the Thai authorities on Tuesday, as had all other embassies, saying that the LoA is no longer accepted. 

The embassy had no information at that time as to what is now required.

Fortunately I have not made expensive arrangements but it must be very expensive for people who have already made plans.

[dotpoom]

2 hours ago, NickJ said:

Yeah..MissAndy is right. Try a different amphur franchise.

Congratulations on getting hitched!

 

Ditto

[Capt Rob]

20 minutes ago, DDbkh said:

I went yesterday to the British Embassy for the letter of affirmation (LoA), and they told that they had received a letter from the Thai authorities on Tuesday, as had all other embassies, saying that the LoA is no longer accepted. 

The embassy had no information at that time as to what is now required.

Fortunately I have not made expensive arrangements but it must be very expensive for people who have already made plans.

Not sure how difficult/expensive it is to get spliced in neighboring countries, but a holiday in KL, Singapore, HK etc might be a more satisfying experience . . . . . .

[Capt Rob]

20 minutes ago, DDbkh said:

I went yesterday to the British Embassy for the letter of affirmation (LoA), and they told that they had received a letter from the Thai authorities on Tuesday, as had all other embassies, saying that the LoA is no longer accepted. 

The embassy had no information at that time as to what is now required.

Fortunately I have not made expensive arrangements but it must be very expensive for people who have already made plans.

Not sure how difficult/expensive it is to get spliced in neighboring countries, but a holiday in KL, Singapore, HK etc might be a more satisfying experience . . . . . .

[Oxx]

42 minutes ago, Capt Rob said:

Not sure how difficult/expensive it is to get spliced in neighboring countries, but a holiday in KL, Singapore, HK etc might be a more satisfying experience . . . . . .

 

You typically have to spend a minimum of 10 consecutive days in the other country before getting married at a British Embassy.

[Bighel]

Okie press,sorry for jumping your post,but now I am concerned on same subject.I am Aussie,traditionally married to a Thai,we have all the paperwork to register our marriage,but now due to unforeseen circumstances,our paperwork will be a year old before we can register.Do letters of affirmation expire????Thanks in advance and sorry for hijacking Okiepress

[DDbkh]

I suggest you wait a few days and check with your embassy. My understanding yesterday from the British Embassy was that LoA is no longer accepted by the Ministry - what that means at the amphur level I have no information.

[Bighel]

Thanks for that,bummer if I have to do it all again,cos also means another flight from Udon and running around in BKK again.Such is life Cheers

[performance]

The Thai at the office is a goose and knows nothing  Yes relocate office she was simply racist or did not like you. Tell her to wait rude lady.

[camsouth]

5 hours ago, Capt Rob said:

Not sure how difficult/expensive it is to get spliced in neighboring countries, but a holiday in KL, Singapore, HK etc might be a more satisfying experience . . . . . .

i agree Cyprus was much easier than here in all ways  

[swerver]

6 hours ago, Capt Rob said:

Not sure how difficult/expensive it is to get spliced in neighboring countries, but a holiday in KL, Singapore, HK etc might be a more satisfying experience . . . . . .

 

Why bother will all this rig moral do as the majority of Thais do, on a weekend have a drunken bash during which you say, "We're married" over and out.  Remember it is less than 50% of Thais that say they're married that have a marriage license from the Amphon. The only problem will arise at time of splitting the blanket, there is no 50/50 split, each takes whosever's name is on it at time of purchase. As for children, they get the name of the one who registers them for the birth certificate. Usually the father because the mother is still incapacitated from giving birth.

 

But if still insisting on the paperwork go have a vacation in either of the two countries of nationality.  If USA go to Las Vegas, Nevada or hop over the border to Tijuana, Mexico.  As the saying goes, "There are many ways to skin a canary".

[MiKT]

From the UK Gov.

Thailand travel advice

01-09-2016 15:47 PM GMT

Latest update: Summary – if you’re intending to marry in Thailand, some registry authorities are not accepting Affirmation of Marriage documents issued by the British Embassy in Thailand; you should check with your local registrar or district office where you intend to register your marriage if they will accept an Affirmation for Marriage from the British Embassy

[rjwill01]

Instead of a Visa run, why don't you make a Marriage run? Seems to me it would be so much easier. Maybe Macau could become the new Las Vegas getting married in Asia. 

[laislica]

1 hour ago, swerver said:

 

Why bother will all this rig moral do as the majority of Thais do, on a weekend have a drunken bash during which you say, "We're married" over and out.  Remember it is less than 50% of Thais that say they're married that have a marriage license from the Amphon. The only problem will arise at time of splitting the blanket, there is no 50/50 split, each takes whosever's name is on it at time of purchase. As for children, they get the name of the one who registers them for the birth certificate. Usually the father because the mother is still incapacitated from giving birth.

 

But if still insisting on the paperwork go have a vacation in either of the two countries of nationality.  If USA go to Las Vegas, Nevada or hop over the border to Tijuana, Mexico.  As the saying goes, "There are many ways to skin a canary".

 

 

Why bother?
In some countries, not too far away and every country with Sharia Law, it is illegal for unmarried folks to sleep together.....

On a visit there, you would need two rooms!

Just sayin

 

Another thing, the Brit embassy is on British soil, so is the US embassy.
Why can't they marry you? (cos it's work and they don't do that?)
You can be married by the captain of a ship at sea?

 

[MiKT]

1 hour ago, laislica said:

 

 

Why bother?
In some countries, not too far away and every country with Sharia Law, it is illegal for unmarried folks to sleep together.....

On a visit there, you would need two rooms!

Just sayin

 

Another thing, the Brit embassy is on British soil, so is the US embassy.
Why can't they marry you? (cos it's work and they don't do that?)
You can be married by the captain of a ship at sea?

 

 

Yes!!!!! why not try the Samoi ferry, followed by immediate honeymoon on a tropical Island. What more could you ask.

 

 

 

 

[autanic]

Get married in Scotland, not licence required. Just turn up with ID and witnesses and your hitched.  Then get a flight back to LOS and enjoy your Honeymoon.

Edited September 1, 2016 by autanic